Liquid detergent container and dispensing

Abstract

A method of packaging liquid detergent or fabric softener for single load use comprising thermoforming a container from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and the like, to a size sufficient to contain a 3-4 ounce amount of liquid detergent in a well thereof. The container comprises an open well with a peripheral lip an open end thereof. A printed foil strip, sized to cover the opening and at least a full circumferential portion of the container lip is heat sealed to the thermoplastic after the detergent is disposed therein. The foil and heat seal are of sufficient strength to retain the 3-4 ounces of liquid detergent even in an obverted position with jostling such as drug transport. Because of the heat seal, the container is not reclosable and storable and the full contents must be used once the container is opened, i.e., for a single use.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for packaging single use amounts of any of a wash water usable pourable liquid detergent or wash water usable pourable liquid fabric softener in a container, comprising the steps of: 
       a) thermoforming a self-standing container with an open well, of a size sufficient to contain enough pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener sufficient for a single average laundry wash load, said container being formed from a thermoplastic material, with said well having an opening, completely peripherally bounded with a peripheral outwardly extending short ledge;  
       b) filling the container with an amount of the pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener, sufficient only for about a single average laundry wash load;  
       c) placing a cover sheet of a heat sealable material on the ledge around the opening of the well and enclosingly across the opening of the well and fully heat sealing the cover sheet to sealingly enclose the pourable liquid within said container and wherein a portion of the cover sheet is manually accessible for gripping in peeling off the cover sheet from the container when the detergent or fabric softener is to be used;  
       wherein the heat seal is of sufficient tensile strength to resist accidental opening of the container but wherein the heat seal has a low peel strength for facilitated peeling removal of the cover sheet without jerking or the leaving of a remaining residue, whereby the cover sheet is not sealingly replaceable to close said container for non-spill storage or reuse of any pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener remaining in said container. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cover sheet comprises a printed metal foil sheet with indicia of manufacturer, trademark and instructions thereon. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said amount of liquid detergent or fabric softener is up to about 4 ounces and said container is adapted for the containment thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a frusto-conical configuration. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a closed base with a circular recessed offset therein. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ledge is formed with a flat upper surface adapted for heat sealing to said cover sheet and a channeled lower surface to impart rigidity to said ledge. 
     
     
       7. A container, with one of wash water usable pourable liquid detergent and wash water usable pourable liquid fabric softener sealingly contained therein, for single use with an average laundry wash load, said container being self-standing and, formed from a thermoplastic material and having an open well, of a size sufficient to contain enough pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener sufficient for a single average laundry wash load, with said well having an opening, completely peripherally bounded with a peripheral outwardly extending short ledge; said container further comprising a cover sheet of a heat sealable material on the ledge around the opening of the well and enclosingly across the opening of the well and fully heat sealed to said ledge to sealingly enclose the pourable liquid within said container and wherein a portion of the cover sheet is manually accessible for gripping in peeling off the cover sheet from the container when the detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener is to be used; 
       wherein the heat seal is of sufficient tensile strength to resist accidental opening of the container but wherein the heat seal has a low peel strength for facilitated peeling removal of the cover sheet without jerking or the leaving of a remaining residue, whereby the cover sheet is not sealingly replaceable to close said container for non-spill storage or reuse of any pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener remaining in said container.  
     
     
       8. A method for packaging single use amounts of any of a wash water usable pourable liquid detergent or wash water usable pourable liquid fabric softener in a container, comprising the steps of: 
       a) thermoforming a self-standing container with an open well, of a size sufficient to contain enough pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener sufficient for a single average laundry wash load, said container being formed from a thermoplastic material, with said well having an opening, completely peripherally bounded with a peripheral outwardly extending short ledge;  
       b) filling the container with an amount of the pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener, sufficient only for about a single average laundry wash load;  
       c) placing a cover sheet of a heat sealable material on the ledge around the opening of the well and enclosingly across the opening of the well and fully heat sealing the cover sheet to sealingly enclose the pourable liquid within said container and wherein a portion of the cover sheet is manually accessible for gripping in peeling off the cover sheet from the container when the detergent or fabric softener is to be used;  
       wherein the heat seal is of sufficient tensile strength to resist accidental opening of the container but wherein the heat seal has a low peel strength for facilitated peeling removal of the cover sheet without jerking. 
     
     
       9. A container, with one of wash water usable pourable liquid detergent and wash water usable pourable liquid fabric softener sealingly contained therein, for single use with an average laundry wash load, said container being self-standing and formed from a thermoplastic material and having an open well, of a limited size to contain only a premeasured amount of pourable liquid detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener sufficient for a single average laundry wash load, said well having an opening, a peripheral outwardly extending ledge contiguous with said well and juxtaposed to said opening, said container further comprising a cover sheet of a heat sealable material disposed on the ledge around the opening of the well and enclosingly the opening of the well said cover sheet being fully heat sealed to said ledge from above to sealingly enclose the pourable liquid within said container and wherein a portion of the cover sheet is manually accessible for gripping in peeling off the cover sheet from the container when the detergent or pourable liquid fabric softener is to be used; 
       wherein the heat seal is of sufficient tensile strength to resist accidental opening of the container but wherein the heat seal has a sufficiently low peel strength for facilitated peeling removal of the cover sheet without jerking.